title: Evaluation of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural uses in the Banana Plain (Mbanga, Njombe, Penja) of the Cameroon Volcanic Line.
abstract: Groundwater quality of the Banana Plain (Mbanga, Njombe, Penja-Cameroon) was assessed for its suitability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural uses. A total of 67 groundwater samples were collected from open wells, springs, and boreholes. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, major ions, and dissolved silica. In 95% of groundwater samples, calcium is the dominant cation, while sodium dominates in 5% of the samples. Eighty percent of the samples have HCO(3) as major anion, and in 20%, NO(3) is the major anion. Main water types in the study area are CaHCO(3), CaMgHCO(3), CaNaHCO(3), and CaNaNO(3)ClHCO(3). CO(2)-driven weathering of silicate minerals followed by cation exchange seemingly controls largely the concentrations of major ions in the groundwaters of this area. Nitrate, sulfate, and chloride concentrations strongly express the impact of anthropogenic activities (agriculture and domestic activities) on groundwater quality. Sixty-four percent of the waters have nitrate concentrations higher than the drinking water limit. Also limiting groundwater use for potable and domestic purposes are contents of Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and HCO(3)                                   (-) and total hardness (TH) that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Irrigational suitability of groundwaters in the study area was also evaluated, and results show that all the samples are fit for irrigation. Groundwater quality in the Banana Plain is impeded by natural geology and anthropogenic activities, and proper groundwater management strategies are necessary to protect sustainably this valuable resource.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Isotope Hydrology Laboratory, Kumamoto University, Japan. akoandrewako@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Andrew Ako
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ako
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Kimpei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ichiyanagi
authors.forename: George Elambo
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nkeng
authors.forename: Wilson Yetoh
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Fantong
authors.forename: Gloria Eneke Takem
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eyong
authors.forename: Ntankouo Njila
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Roger
mesh_terms: D057914:Agricultural Irrigation / Q000592:standards; D002163:Cameroon; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical